At the Apex Arts AGM on 4th April 2017 a new board was appointed.
Sade Brown – Chair
Sade is a creative producer, public speaker and Founder of Sour Lemons. She has over six years’ experience of developing projects, festivals and productions with and for young people and diverse communities at organisations such as The Bush Theatre, The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Ogilvy and Mather and the Barbican Centre. In 2016 Sade founded Sour Lemons to level out the playing field for young people that come from a similar background to get ahead in life.
Rosalind Zalicks – Treasurer
I am a member of Chingford Amateur Dramatic Society (CADOS) and a long time trustee/representative to Waltham Forest Arts Council, since the 1990’s. I work for LBWF Highways dept. and have been a treasurer for Carefree Kids, CADOS and Apex for many years.
Sam Francis
Sam Francis is the CEO and Artistic Director of X7eaven Academy, a pioneering Award winning performing arts school based in East London.X7eaven works in conjunction with the Barbican,Waltham forest College,Hackney Empire, Waltham Forest Council, Several Schools across London, and deliver Arts awards, BTEC level 2 as well as running a Saturday performing Arts school.
Sam trained at Urdang Academy of Ballet and Performing Arts and has been working in the music industry as a Performer, choreographer and Writer/Director for over fifteen years. Sam Francis has worked with Sean Paul, Beyonce, Destiny’s Child, East17, Boyzone, Styles and Breeze, Phixx, Mark Morrison,P Diddy, Worlds Apart and LL Cool J.
Sam has written and directed a number of original Productions that have been commissioned by the Borough of Waltham forest, neighboring boroughs and Theatres around London. Sam choreographed the award winning “A Midsummer Madness” which was performed in New-York, London and at the Edinburgh festival by the talented cast of Hackney Harlem.
Sam has a unique and special talent when it comes to helping performers to develop their artistic abilities and inner confidence. Her unique and dynamic style of directing and choreographing mixes the genres of style in which she has trained. Sam is no stranger to the stage, as a Dancer, Choreographer and Director she has worked on numerous Arena Tours. Sam was also co-choreographer the pantomime at Hackney Empire “Dick Whittington & his Cat.” She also toured the world with pop artist, as well as appearances on international TV shows and Pop video’s, during this time developing commercial recording artist,writing and Directing Theatre shows.
Sam has been involved with Ideas kitchen from the beginning and is happy to share her experience with like- minded creatives, who share the same vision of empowering the creative and talented community of Waltham forest.
Sophy Harper
I am educator with a passion for the Arts. After more than 10 years in Secondary English teaching, I left to pursue my interests in Arts education. Currently I am based at Gnome House community asset and I am working in events management alongside more administrative functions. I have been involved with the Barbican’s Ideas Kitchen project since the beginning and we have successfully produced three community dinners.
Hannah Lamdin
I have over fifteen years experience in sustainability and corporate social responsibility with a particular focus on community partnerships, investment and development. I have developed and managed the community investment strategies, including the charitable giving budgets, of several large businesses including Guardian News & Media, as well as managing community development grant giving for a local authority (EB4U, Brighton & Hove) and being on the other side of the table applying for and managing funding whilst working in the voluntary sector.
I will bring my experience of both sides of the funding table, strategic thinking, and managing partnerships to the board to help deliver a fair and inclusive initiative that benefits all involved and has a sustainable, lasting impact.
Be Bop Baby is a family focused music events organisation, focused on providing accessible, affordable and inclusive local gigs for families. We are in our 3rd year in E17 and have almost 1000 families with young children and babies in our network through social media, ticket sales and our newsletter subscription.
I am flexible and happy to help in anyway I can. My professional background includes strategy development and implementation, project management, writing, editing and communications, within the sustainability, charitable and community sector.
Charlotte Major
I am a Waltham Forest resident and entirely committed to improving our quality of life through ‘the arts’. I am the administration officer and lead events volunteer at The Mill Community Centre in Walthamstow. I produced The Community Marquee at The Walthamstow Garden Party in 2016 and am currently working on this year’s festival. I have worked and volunteered with a multitude of local organisations in developing and delivering events in the borough including The William Morris Gallery, Vestry House Museum and Artillery (Cultivate). I am currently studying for an MA in Museum and Gallery Studies at Kingston University. I love to sing, to read and to socialise. I’m really excited to begin a new chapter with The Ideas Kitchen project and Apex Arts.
Danny Herbert
Danny Herbert is a Walthamstow based poet, as Herbie Herb he was the official ‘Micropoet’ for the Words over Waltham Forest Literary festival. Danny performed at the Walthamstow garden party in 2016 and recently at an open mic at the Rose and Crown organised by the Forest Poets. Danny’s twitter poems are regularly read out on Soho Radio. Danny works as a senior policy advisor at the Department for Transport, where he is also Branch Organiser for PCS, the union. Danny has been a trustee of Apex arts since 2012, he was formerly a Trustee of The Mill.
Apex Arts 